Mitral cells

Mitral cells are the primary output neurons of the olfactory bulb. They are named after the mitral valve of the heart, which they resemble. These cells receive information from the olfactory receptor neurons and transmit this information to the higher regions of the brain.

Structure

Mitral cells are located in the olfactory bulb of the brain. They are characterized by a large, round cell body with a single apical dendrite that extends into the olfactory glomerulus. The dendrite forms synapses with the axons of the olfactory receptor neurons. The cell also has several lateral dendrites that extend into the external plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb.

Function

The primary function of mitral cells is to transmit olfactory information from the olfactory bulb to the rest of the brain. They receive input from the olfactory receptor neurons and send output to various regions of the brain, including the piriform cortex, the amygdala, and the entorhinal cortex. This allows the brain to process and interpret smells.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities in mitral cells can lead to a variety of olfactory disorders, including anosmia (loss of smell), hyposmia (reduced ability to smell), and parosmia (distorted perception of smell). In addition, mitral cells have been implicated in several neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, as these diseases often involve olfactory dysfunction.

See also

• Olfactory system
• Olfactory receptor neuron
• Olfactory bulb

References

Mitral cells Resources
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